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About 2015 Nirjala Ekadashi

The eleventh day of both dark (KrishnaKrishnaIt is described that there are three aspects of the Supreme that must...) and bright (Shukla) lunar fortnight, according to Hindu calendar is known as Ekadashi. This day is considered sacred as it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There can be twenty four or twenty five Ekadashi in a year but the most auspicious one is Nirjala Ekadashi. The day falls on the eleventh day of the Shukla paksha (waxing fortnight) in the month of Jyestha (May-June), according to Hindu calendar. Thus, it is also known as Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi.

Bhima, the strongest of all Pandavas, was a lover of food and was unable to abstain himself from eating. When he saw his brothers and his wife, observing fasts on all the Ekadashis, Bhima felt bad and asked sage Vyasa (the author of the Hindu epic, Mahabharata) for a solution. Vyasa told him to observe only one fast i.e., Nirjala Ekadashi fast. If he is able to observe this fast religiously then he would attain the virtues equivalent to all twenty four Ekadashis. Thus this day is also known as PandavaBhima Ekadashi or PandavaNirjala Ekadashi.

Observing this fast is considered equivalent to performing a pilgrimage. It is believed that Vishnu himself took the form of the day, Ekadashi to absolve humans from their sins. Devotees who offer their dedication to Vishnu on this day receive happiness, prosperity, salvation and forgiveness. As the fast takes place before monsoon, it is also believed to help in cleansing the mind, body and soul, just like rain cleanses the earth of its impurities.

It is also believed that after death, the soul is taken by YamaYamaAlso known as Yamaraja, Yama is the controller of the hell (Naraka).... He judges the soul by giving an account of all the deeds performed and then he decides whether the soul goes to hell or heaven. But one who keeps Nirjala Ekadashi fast, does not go through any judgment. Their souls are taken by the messengers of Vishnu and brought to his abode.